...for entertaining all of us and making every injury at least a little funny. I only met you once but I feel like I've known you since I was young. May your spirit live on in every skater forever.

"You sound like Batman" (...) "That's the way I skate..."
RayUnderhill.com

So if you haven't heard... They battled it out at the XGames last night in Skateboard Big Air and once again Danny Way proved that he is a machine; taking one of the gnarliest slams I've ever seen from 20+ feet to coping, breaking his foot and completely wrecking himself–only to come back directly from medical, going against doctors' wishes, no additional practice, to take his remaining runs, stomping the 540 melon he slammed on the run before... Burnquist ended up winning, Danny in 2nd and Jake Brown in 3rd. All riding Independent Trucks... wait... every single skater in this event rides Independent 215s.. Check out the footy:


Here's a pretty good detail on the slam on YouTube:


Ride the best, #&@% the Rest!

Hey industry heads and skaters in the Southern California region! Come check out Automatic Mag's 5th Annual Battle of Shops at the ASR Trade Expo, Saturday, September 6, 2008, brought to you in part by Independent Truck Company.

Hey skaters in the SF Bay Area! Tomorrow, July 4th if you don't have any plans or if your plans entailed a lot of fireworks that are now severely illegal in Northern California and you're left with nothing to do, come on out to the new SF Potrero Del Sol skatepark and skate or hang with the Indy team on our last stop of the Independent 30th Anniversary Tour.

In the meantime, head over to thrashermagazine.com for continued coverage from P-Stone and Rhino.

We've been off the grid for a few days getting creepy in the Super Unknown. The last time we chimed in we were leaving Indiana and heading towards Milwaukee for a PBR barbecue at Cream City Skatepark. Great shop, great guys. Drehobl showed up and destroyed the bowl. Guz and Troy torched the street course and we were out. The entire state of Iowa was shut down due to flooding, so we took the long road around and added a solid 8 hours to our drive west. In Denver, we picked up Rowley for the weekend, skated James Hedrick's and Tuck's backyard bowls and had a great time in the Mile High. Once we dropped off Drehobl, Salazar, Rowley and Chris Troy at the airport, we picked up Randy Colvin, Tosh Townend, Grant Taylor, Tony Trujillo, The Body, Sam Hitz and Brian Anderson. Up in Boulder we hung with the Trick Factory and que'd at the Super Unknown. Another late night drive and we crashed in Casper, WY. We made it to Billings, Montana today and watched The Bump, The Body and Tony T. completely annihilate the park there. Lots of bread soda, peace pipes, piss bottles and road grub. Missoula here we come!!

Cancer, The Kid and The Brit.


Custom Hitz Indy hat.


Who says Hosoi, Phillips and Losi were the only ones to do proper layback airs?!


O'Mark goes Davey Crockett.


Outer Space 2000.


Luda Parts.


Street Pete.


Ricky only hits home-runs.


Baca only hits all-net.


Rhino into the eye-of-the-storm.

For those of you in the Denver metro area please be advised that the time of the Independent 30th Anniversary tour has been updated. It is now 12:00-3:00 pm on Saturday, June 21st at the Commerce City Skatepark. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Shine your other Go Skateboarding Day plans and come hang out with some of the Indy team!

The 30th tour microsite will be updated shortly.

Rhino checked in over at ThrasherMagazine.com with some images from the Indy tour stop in Frederick, Maryland hosted by Pit Crew. Click the pic>

Alex Olson, front feeb

Preston also checked in from the Indy 30th tour with some footy from Skatopia.


The crew is in Milwaukee now at Cream City Skatepark and headed to Denver where they'll be jamming at the Commerce City park in conjunction with The Denver Shop. Looks like you guys get: DARREN NAVARRETTE, JEFF GROSSO, CHET CHILDRESS, PETER HEWITT, DAN DREHOBL, AL PARTANEN, CHRIS TROY, EMMANUEL GUZMAN, STEVE NESSER, OMAR SALAZAR, DAVID GRAVETTE, and GEOFF ROWLEY instead. Pretty sick line up if you ask me so shine that other Denver "Go Skateboarding Day" event and get yourself up to Commerce City

It's been a few nights since I got some wifi so here's a quick update.
-Headed up to DC from Wilmington, NC to skate the park in Frederick, MD with the Pitcrew squad. There was a Peter Redgrave and Steve Teague sighting. Skated the Green Lab and a killer backyard vert construction.
-FDR in Philly was a short side track but the boys ripped the park. FDR is hands down the best DIY park in the country.
-Blew the tranny in the truck some where in the cuts of Ohio.
-Made a much-to-short appearance at Skatopia. If you've never been during the summer party you're missing THE best skate party anywhere on the planet.
-Cruised over to Louisville and had a session till 4am. Navs and Salba went to work while everyone had fun hang'in and drinking bread sodas.
-Next stop was Bloomington, IN. where Ryan Smith was gracious enough to take us to the Homewoods bowl. A 1/4 mile hike into the woods, middle of nowhere, sick homemade concrete contraption.
Cream City is our next stop and Denver is right over the horizon.

Homemade Indy shirt featuring Sal Barbier.


Steve Teague picking up my trash.


Driver down.


Let the fun begin.


Chris Troy wanted to live at Skatopia.


This is how you start a campfire.


Skatopia gets better every year.


Fireworks can sometimes backfire.


The day after.


Fully zorched.


The Olson twins.


Peter rocket dismounts in Louisville.


Grosso sweeps the coping.


Homewoods.


Nature.

OK, the hot rod is done... after dealing with a broken motor in the air bag assembly (the part that raises and lowers the truck), getting it rigged in Philly and finally moving on to Ohio a day late, the hot rod broke down for good somewhere in Amish land. It was towed and will be shipped back to fix and prep it for auction at ASR. Dawes went for it, against odds, and then counted his cards and moved on in the van.

So went the Friday the 13th massacre at Skatopia. We apologize for the late arrival, hope everyone still had a blast. An impromptu jam did proceed at FDR while Dawes sorted the air bag situation so Philly got a bonus and Ohio got jones'd. I guess that's what we get for trying to drive an old ass hot rod across the country... Check out P-Stone's footy here

Also, check Rhino's latest post from the Jam at Eastern Skate Supply in Wilmington, NC here.

Rhino checking in multiple times from the road on ThrasherMagazine.com.

Here and here.

I got a fuzzy feeling when I got to this image... This crew IS Indy. Olson is even in there... Seeing Lance Mountain in a classic Indy tee just makes you feel good! Welcome back man.


The dudes have been over slated for skate jams all week so they're a little restless to just let it roll... Good thing tonight and tomorrow its Skatopia Bowl Bash XIII. Let it loose!!!

We're very proud to announce that Lance Mountain now rides for Independent Trucks. After a long hiatus, the hard working, hard charging, Mr. Mountain is back!



One of my favs from back in the day hamming it up with Neil Blender in Ban This.

Moto Pete.


Two belly buttons.

The skatepark in Atlanta wanted Indy to put up a million dollar insurance policy for the riders to skate the park. So we said beat it and took it over to the Brook Run skatepark. A huge crowd showed and red cups were everywhere. No insurance policy just helmets. Whatever. Omar, Partanen, Grosso, Navarrette, Hewitt, Olson and Grant Taylor were ripping the bowl as were the locals. The ladies of Red Bull showed up and got the kids lit up on caffeine while the elders were handling the liquid chicken. Goodtimes in Atlanta even though we missed hitting up the Claremont lounge. Next time. The following morning we are out ad heading North.

It was a smooth ride from Hammond, LA. to the southern city of New Orleans. We hooked up with Sal's buddy Dick, who gave us the grand tour and took us to a chunky bank-to-wall. Kenny and Uncle Fred got some. We then went through a dilapidated, upscale neighborhood to skate a pool with some of the locales. Since the city is built below sea level, they had to drain the pool, put a plug in the drain to stop the water from coming in, then, when you're done riding, pull the plug and fill the pool so it doesn't rise out of the ground. Trippy. Next, we headed up to Birmingham, Alabama to skate the Ghetto Banks. Sugercanes, Back Noseblunts, foot plants, invert fence jams and finger flip lien-to-tails all went down in concession. Good times. The ATL was our next stop but we had a kink in our plan. Tina from the city consul in Georgia said we had to have permits and million dollar insurance policies and police security to have our jam at Mountain Park skatepark. So we skipped it and went over to Brook Run and had a fun time in the bowl and hung with the ATL players. Omar, Navs, Parts, Olson and Grant Taylor ripped the blocks and got some air. We're up in Wilmington NC. now, so we'll keep you posted.

Shit Cakes just turned Pro.


Killer foundation spot in the ATL.


Cancer Dan looking cancerous.


One of the best spots in America.


Another Indy Truck.


Birmingham locs.


Street navs gets aggro.


Just pissed that the Bel Air doesn't look this good.


Street Navs hucks a Bean off the pole.


Captain Rhino.


Chill Fool!!


Bar Fly.

Picked up Chris Troy, Hewitt, Partanen, Drehobl and Guzman. The temperature was hitting the high 90's and the beers were on ice. Backyard pools, DIY spots, 30 stair handrails, skateparks and nightlife is what was going on in Atlanta. Shit is really heating up in the Dirty South. More to come....

Updated jam location for Saturday, June 7th.

Skated an OG Sal Barbier spot in Baton Rouge yesterday; Chris from The Chicken Coop let us florf around his indoor bowl last night; spent today getting burnt at the skatepark in Hammond, ate a crawfish omelette for breakfast. Later.

Alex Olson


Chet Childress


Fred Gall


Braydon Szafranski


Kenny Anderson


Sammy Baca


Adam Alfaro


Jeff Grosso


Darren Navarrette


Omar Hassan

Today was the grand opening of the Lee & Jim Jamile Skatepark in Houston TX. Right next to downtown, the backdrop to the park is architecturally epic. Brian Penington, Ken Fillion, Glen Charnowski, Chris Gentry, Dave Reul, Dave Duncan, Aaron Astorga and a smorgasbord of trogs and rats crammed in the overcrowded trannies and bowls while suffering the 100º+ heat. While the rippage occured, Omar's friend Oliver Peck drove his RV tattoo studio down from Dallas and posted up for all the boys to get ink. Omar was the first to be devirginized while Freddy was the last- both got their first tatts and Indy ones to boot. Next up, New Orleans, Birmingham then Atlanta.

Braydon at the Cereal Bowl.


A sliver of the Cereal Bowl.


Haslam, Alex and Navs


Lance Mountain & Cheeter


Grosso getting a flying pig on his arm.

more photos from week 1

Just arrived in Houston TX coming from AZ, El Paso and San Antonio. The crew is deep. Hosoi, Grosso, Cab, Childress, Alfaro, Nav's, Braydon, Childress, Baca, Haslam, Kenny A, Omar Hassan and newly arrivals Alex Olsen and Fred Gall. Tons of skate spots and shredding going down. 5 weeks left....look out! -rhino

It's been a few days of no wifi so sorry for the delay. We spent yesterday in San Antonio, TX. schralping around in a ditch, a mini pool and The Green Monster. Kenny Anderson became the MVP of the first leg- back noseblunt, back lip, back smith. Sick.

Ninja La Raza


Grosso & Haslam before the sun stroke kicked in.


Brothers of the Four Winds.


Baca & Braydon


"Feed me before I stab someone in the neck with a screwdriver!!"-Grosso


Navs- Gila Monster


Baca throwing stones.

Mostly drove today. Phoenix to El Paso. The hook looks dry- just needs a little sweeping. Sammy found a gonzo drop-in he wants to do tomorrow. Tons of ditches out here too. Ate some Pho. Later.

Day two bitches. Woke up this morning looking for coffee and Christ. After a short jaunt to the airport we find ourselves reclining in the shade of one of our fair city's taller buildings, the Kenny and Braydon manny show playfully displayed for our viewing pleasure. Oh yeah, Alfie, in some stoner haze of brilliance climbed a tree, only to have it's tender branches splinter under his tiny frame, plummeting him headlong towards the earth. Best trick of the session. Spent a few lazy hours wandering around some random strip mall, eating bad food, offering false promises for foot wear, and watching sammy smoke Pall Mall's like a homeless veteran. Gotta love that boy. Supplies gathered, shit talked, it's off to Peoria for our first public appearance. Straight out of the van we are bombarded by a sea of prepubescent tweens, red faced, screaming for Drew. "Where's Andrew?" they ask in earnest? I don't know is our only reply. The boys post up in the flow section where Sammy strikes first with a judo-kick, back flannel slide that sent the children into a tizzy. Chet comes on strong with a waxed out bluntslide and the session was on. The OMA is there in force, dispensing grumpy juice, tales of yore, and free grub for the hungry throngs. We watched a local kid, known at this time only as Hair Helmet, shoot himself high into the air with some of the most impressive deck launches I have seen since the jump ramp days. No seriously, this 14 year old gave even our seasoned vets a run for their money. Doubles mayhem? But fuck, your gonna have to wait . I'm tired. Gotta go rub one out and get some shut eye. Thanks to the OMA and all who attended. I hope y'all had as much fun as me.
-Grosso

Spicy Blanco


Boredom Awaits. Keeps your mind in a frozen state.


Road dogs: Chet, Navs, Haslam

To make a short story shorter, the first day was a no brainer. It was raining, Shark Attack, Cheeter Cheese and Bat Face were the first to get in the van; Cabby, Kenny A. and Mr. Hupp were swooped up from LAX with Hazzzlam next door at dwindle; a quick jaunt behind the Orange Curtain and Alfy, O'Mark and Grosso got in. 3 hours of traffic later we arrived in Ocean Beach, where Rhino and the Crow awaited our arrival. Sorry- penmanship Touretts. We picked up Baca too, but you'll have to wait for the Thrasher article to hear how we found him. Off to Phoenix!



The Indy truck was purring like a kitten.



After rounding up the boys in the mourning we picked up Wez and went for a roll at the Tempe Park. Guaranteed no one's seen a more mötley crëw then this one! Killer Creager cameo and the Casperholic was there too. A backyard pool session was next in line with Rick Eusey and THE Lee Bender showing face. Sammy killed it, O'Mark, the Crow and Bat Face were right there with him. Cheba Hut subs, Cheeder & O'Mark's verbal vomit, Vegas boys, Alfy's first frontside invert, Hazzzlar's manny mayham, The Gaysian's pool geometry and the day was done.

The Independent 30th Anniversary Tour kicked off yesterday as the initial shift of skaters left California for Arizona where they will be jamming tomorrow, Sunday, May 25th at Peoria Skatepark. So if you're in the area, come out and check it out!

Independent Truck Company and NHS are proud to present the Independent 30th Anniversary Tour, supported by
RedBullSkateboarding.com, May 23rd through July 4th, 2008 in association with Thrasher magazine.

This summer over 40 Independent Trucks team riders, traveling in shifts, will embark on a nationwide US tour alongside the custom built Independent 1941 Ford Pickup. The tour will be stopping at 10 locations for skate jams, BBQs, and parties celebrating over 30 years of making the world’s best skateboard trucks.

The crew will be shooting for an article in Thrasher as well as filming for the tour video to be released on DVD and in parts this fall on the tour’s microsite at
30thTour.IndependentTrucks.com.

So come out and jam with the team at the following locations or maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of them as they haul ass in-between towns destroying whatever spots they can get their trucks on.

PHOENIX, AZ
SUNDAY, MAY 25th, 4:00-7:00 pm
Peoria Skatepark

HOUTSON, TX
SUNDAY, June 1st, 2:00-5:00 pm
Skatepark Grand Opening
Houston Skatepark

ATLANTA, GA
SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, 4:00-7:00 pm
Mountain Park

WILMINGTON, NC
MONDAY, JUNE 9TH, 5:00-8:00 pm
Eastern Skate Supply

FREDERICK, MD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11TH, 4:00-7:00 pm
Frederick Skatepark

SKATOPIA, OH
FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH
Skatopia Bowl Bash XIII
www.skatopia.org

MILWAUKEE, WI
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH, 12:00-3:00 pm
Cream City Skatepark

DENVER, CO
SATURDAY, JUNE 21ST, 4:00-7:00 pm
IASC Go Skateboarding Day
Commerce City Skatepark

MISSOULA, MT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25TH, 3:00-6:00 pm
Missoula Skatepark

LINCOLN CITY, OR
SUNDAY, JUNE 29TH, 2:00-5:00 pm
Lincoln City Skatepark

SAN FRANCISCO, CA
FRIDAY, JULY 4TH, 1:00-5:00 pm
30th Anniversary Party / Jam
Potrero Del Sol / La Raza Park

For more information including each location’s team roster, dates and times, directions, and updates from the road log onto
30thTour.IndependentTrucks.com.

On April 22, 2006 skateboarding lost one of its godfathers, Fausto Vitello, co-founder of Independent Trucks and Thrasher magazine. Both entities have continued on in his honor and today we remember him on the two year anniversary of his passing. I feel privileged to have known him for the short time that I did; he certainly changed my perspective on life and skateboarding forever.

If you haven't yet obtained a copy of Built to Grind check it out. It's got a lot of great stories about Fausto including multiple articles written himself about Independent and skateboarding during the late 70s, early 80s and beyond. Suck up his DIY, fuck you attitude and go rip your stick! It's time to grind...

The NC-17 version of the Indy, Creature, Vox East Coast Sewer Tour video is this week's featured article on StrangeNotes.com featuring Peter Hewitt, Darren Navarrette, Al Partanen, Lizard King, John Ponts, David Gravette, Alex Horn, Sammy Baca, and Marky Clements. Peep it...

OK, this is f#@%ing gnarly. Hewitt scores the cover of the Skateboard Mag with this nutso crail slider on the oververt roughness at Washington Street. I thought it was ridiculous that he was even f/s grinding this (as seen below in Peter's 2007 Strange Notes Checkin' In or in Vox's new DVD Black and Blue Vol. 3) I think this is Hewitt's 3rd cover in 2 years.

Its nice to see that on the other side of the pond they pretty much do the same stuff we do. In this case a full as they say "pissed up" mini-ramp sesh with Ben Raemers, Ben Grove, Daz Pearcy, Div Adam, Craig Smedley at The Blue Dog mini in Derby. Ruling...

Filmed and edited by Ben Powell at sidewalkmag.com.

Also, while you're there peep this footage from the Newcastle part of the trip...

Cheers...

...more abuse of authority.

The first of three Independent UK Tour edits, covering outdoor concrete in the shape of Prissick Plaza and Newcastles "Exhibition Park". Featuring Carl Wilson, Ben Grove, Ben Raemers, Mark Munson and Div Adam.

Click here to view movie on sidewalkmag.com


by Ben Powell sidewalkmag.com